BR102019014793A2 - METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DETECTING DEFECTS IN CLOSING ENCAPSULATED BOTTLES - Google Patents

Abstract

method and device for detecting defects in the closure of encapsulated bottles. the present invention relates to a method for detecting defects in the closure of encapsulated vials comprising the following steps: a) digitizing a profile (20) of the capsule (120, 220) and the vial (100, 200) by means of a profilometer (10), thus obtaining a point cloud, b) from said point cloud, calculate at least one of the following parameters: i. diameter or radius of the capsule's closing circumference, ii. intersection angle (alpha) between the lower skirt (121, 221) and the side of the capsule, iii. length of the bottom skirt (121, 221), iv. distance from the end of the lower skirt (121, 221) to the neck of the bottle, c) determining whether any of said parameters exceed a predetermined limit value. the device for detecting defects in the closure of encapsulated vials comprises a profilometer (10) configured to scan a profile (20) of the capsule (120, 220) and vial (100, 200) and a control device configured to perform a method such as the previously described.

Description

Descriptive Report of the Invention Patent for METHOD AND DEVICE TO DETECT DEFECTS IN CLOSING ENCAPSULATED BOTTLES.

[0001] The present invention relates to a new method and device for detecting defects in bottle closure. More specifically, the present invention features a new method and device for detecting defects in the closure of encapsulated vials.

[0002] Currently, especially in the pharmaceutical industry, the use of vials is widely extended. Vials are generally small containers that can be used to hold medicines, samples, etc., in the form of liquids, powders or capsules. The bottles can have different types of closures, such as, for example, screw caps, hinged caps, smudge caps or similar, encapsulations, etc.

[0003] In order to avoid losses and / or contamination of the contents of the bottle, it is very important to ensure its correct closure. Among the defects that can be produced in the closing of the vials, the lack of tightness of said closure stands out; however, this defect is not the only one, since flasks whose closure is watertight may have other types of defects that, over time, may end up compromising the integrity or the tightness of the closure. An example of such defects would be bites on the capsule of encapsulated vials, especially bites on the lower skirt of the capsule.

[0004] In order to avoid the possible problems associated with a defective closure of the bottle, it is necessary to implement quality controls of said closure. On a small scale, manual inspection of the bottles by a worker is feasible, although on a medium or large scale, manual inspection is not feasible due to problems

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2/21 obvious productivity. Because of this, over time different automatic devices for inspecting the closure of vials have emerged.

[0005] The PCT Patent Application Publication document WO 02/057709 A2 presents a method and apparatus for detecting the presence of a closure in a container and determining whether said closure is properly seated. Said apparatus includes at least two fiber optic heads disposed opposite each other on both sides of a conveyor belt or any other packaging transport mechanism. The fiber optic heads face each other through the displacement path of a package. The optical fibers of the receiving head are arranged in a rectangular shape, narrow in the horizontal direction and long in the vertical direction. The optical heads are connected to an optical sensor with an analog output. As a package with a closure moves through the transport mechanism, closing the package interrupts parts of the beam of light directed towards the receiving head. The optical sensor generates an analog tracking signal as the closure moves through the conveyor. A processor samples the analog signal and determines its presence and / or closing position.

[0006] The PCT Patent Application Publication document WO 2012/061441 A1 presents a system to inspect closures of packaged products employing lasers and receivers to scan multiple sides of a package, thereby measuring and determining a pass / no pass state. a parameter of a packaging closure. In one embodiment, the system employs two lasers that each emit beams that cross each other, as well as a product inspection path. Preferably, the packaging closure parameter that is assessed is the separation between the

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3/21 bottom surface of the cap and the top surface of the bottle neck. [0007] The two documents previously mentioned coincide because they present devices that inspect the closure of vials by optical means, that is, without the need for physical contact between the inspection device and the vial, and for exclusively evaluating the position of the cap with respect to the package. Both systems are unable to assess possible defects in a capsule that surrounds said cap; therefore, its use is not recommended for inspecting encapsulated bottles.

[0008] The PCT Patent Application Publication document WO 95/04267 A1 features an inspection machine for translucent bottles or similar articles, with an inspection station for checking the walls of the article, the station being provided with a lighting device , an imaging device and a set of intermediate mirrors that create at least two bundles as well as a conveyor that leads the bottles in a single row between the bundles. To perfect said inspection machine, the invention features a set of mirrors that create at least three beams that illuminate the side wall of a bottle under inspection from different directions. Said device may have a first chamber for inspecting the side walls of the bottle and a second chamber for inspecting the contour and / or the height and / or color of the bottles to be inspected.

[0009] The inspection machine presented in WO 95/04267 A1 only inspects the walls of the bottles, that is, it does not inspect their closure and, therefore, is not able to detect defects in said closure.

[0010] The PCT Patent Application Publication document WO 2016/202528 A1 presents a method of inspection of packages, in particular bottles, in which closed packages are transported

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4/21 by means of a transport device and the closures applied to the packages are inspected in relation to their adjustment and / or the correct fit by means of an inspection device. By means of an optical measurement method in three dimensions, or simply 3D, the inspection device detects, at least partially, a package together with the closure of said package and generates 3D data of the same, in particular 3D points, 3D linear elements and / or 3D surface elements. Said 3D data are processed by means of an evaluation device and from them the adjustment and / or the correct fitting of the closure are inferred. Said optical method of measurement in three dimensions comprises stereoscopic three-dimensional measurement by capturing images of at least a part of the container and closing from at least two points of view.

[0011] WO 2016/202528 A1 also presents a packaging inspection device comprising a transport device for transporting a closed package comprising a closure coupled to said package, an optical sensor for measuring in three dimensions to capture an image three-dimensional view of at least part of the packaging and closure; and an evaluation device for processing the three-dimensional image to determine the correct fit or fit of the closure in relation to the package. Said optical sensor of measurement in three dimensions is coupled to a source of diffused or structured light and can be a camera comprising a stereoscopic objective or two or more cameras, each comprising an objective.

[0012] Although the method and device presented in WO 2016/202528 A1 can be used for a variety of packaging and closures, said document does not state that they can be used to inspect encapsulated bottles and / or encapsulated closures, so , nor does it state which parameters should

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5/21 be evaluated in order to detect defects in the closure of encapsulated bottles. Additionally, said method and device have the drawback that the measurement of an object in three dimensions by triangulating points from two images requires a high computational load.

[0013] An objective of the present invention is to bring a method of inspection of the closure of encapsulated vials that allows to detect defects in said closure and that solves the problems of the previously mentioned methods. Therefore, the present invention provides a method for detecting defects in the closure of encapsulated bottles that comprises the following steps:

[0014] a) Digitalize a profile of the capsule and bottle using a profilometer, said profile corresponding to a generatrix of the bottle that defines a head, a side and a lower skirt of said capsule, thus obtaining a cloud of points, [0015] b) From the point cloud obtained in the previous point, calculate at least one of the following parameters:

[0016] i. Diameter or radius of the closing circumference of the capsule, the closing circumference being defined by the circumference defined by the folding of the lower skirt of the capsule with respect to its side, [0017] ii. Intersection angle between the lower skirt and the side of the capsule, [0018] iii. Length of the bottom skirt, [0019] iv. Distance from the end of the lower skirt to the bottle neck, [0020] c) Determine if any parameter calculated in the previous point exceeds a predetermined limit value, said limit value indicating whether the capping is correct or not.

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6/21 [0021] Preferably, said cloud of points is obtained by means of a laser profilometer, that is, said profilometer measures the surface of the capsule and flask by optical means, that is, without contact. Advantageously, said profilometer measures in two dimensions or 2D, that is, in a plane. By means of a 2D profilometer, a cloud of points is obtained in a Cartesian plane, that is, in a plane defined by the abscissa and ordinate axis, thus obtaining the profile of the capsule and flask as if a cut by a cutting plan. Alternatively, said profilometer is measured in three dimensions.

[0022] Advantageously, the measurement of the profile of the capsule and bottle using a profilometer is carried out with at least two different exposure times.

[0023] Preferably, calculating the diameter or radius of the capsule's closing circumference comprises the following steps: [0024] a) Calculating a regression circumference of the closure of the capsule from the point cloud on the side and bottom skirt of the capsule , [0025] b) Measure the diameter or radius of the circumference of the regression circumference, estimating that said regression circumference is equal to the closing circumference of the capsule.

[0026] Advantageously, the calculation of the angle of intersection between the inner skirt and the side of the capsule comprises the following steps: [0027] a) Calculate the regression line of the side of the capsule from the point cloud, [0028] b ) Calculate the regression line of the lower skirt of the capsule from the point cloud, [0029] c) Determine the point of intersection between both regression lines and the angle they form between them.

[0030] Preferably, the calculation of the length of the lower skirt comprises the following steps:

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7/21 [0031] a) Determine the extreme point of the lower skirt, [0032] b) Determine the extreme point of the fold between the side and the lower skirt of the capsule, [0033] c) Measure the distance between both points.

[0034] Advantageously, the calculation of the distance from the end of the lower skirt to the bottle comprises the following steps:

[0035] a) Determine the end point of the lower skirt, if not previously determined, [0036] b) Determine the end point of the bottle neck, [0037] c) Measure the distance between both points.

[0038] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is also a device for detecting defects in the closure of encapsulated vials that comprises a profilometer configured to scan a profile of the capsule and vial and a control device configured to perform a method such as the previously described.

[0039] Preferably, said profilometer is a laser profilometer, that is, a non-contact measuring device. Advantageously, said profilometer is a two-dimensional profilometer, that is, it measures in two dimensions. In this way, a cloud of points is obtained in a single plane that corresponds to the profile of the capsule and bottle. This measurement is performed directly and without the need to perform triangulations, image treatments or other complex operations.

[0040] Preferably, said control device additionally comprises a device for supplying vials. Advantageously, said vial supply device operates continuously. The former allows the control device to operate in an automated and uninterrupted manner, since the said vial supply device is responsible for transferring the vial to the control device.

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8/21 following the inspection of the bottle. Advantageously, said vial supply device can also remove the vial from the control device after it has been inspected.

[0041] Preferably, said profilometer performs the measurement of the profile with two different exposure times. Preferably, the first exposure time is between 20 με and 100 με and the second exposure time is between 150 με and 500 με. Most preferably, the first exposure time is between 30 με and 50 με. More preferably, the second exposure time is between 250 με and 350 με. Thanks to the use of two different exposure times, it is possible to carry out an accurate measurement over the entire profile of the capsule and bottle, as it is usually of different materials, it also has distinct optical properties, with the result that certain times of reflection are effective for measuring the capsule, although they cause high reflection in the capsule or vice versa, that is, they are effective for measuring the vial, but cause a short reflection in the capsule. Combining the measurements obtained with both exposure times, an accurate reading is achieved across the entire profile of the encapsulated bottle.

[0042] In one embodiment, the profilometer performs the measurement of the profile with more than two different exposure times. In said performance, the multiple measurements are combined in order to obtain an accurate reading of the profile of the bottle and its capsule. In another alternative embodiment, the profilometer performs the measurement of the profile with a single exposure time.

[0043] Preferably, the device comprises means for rotating the vial on its own longitudinal axis, thus obtaining the profile of the capsule and vial along the entire circumference of said capsule and vial. Advantageously, the control device is configured to correct and / or absorb small deviations between the route axis

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9/21 tion of the bottle and its geometric longitudinal axis, that is, the control device is configured to correct the variations that would be produced if the encapsulated bottle turns eccentrically. [0044] Alternatively, the device comprises means for rotating the profilometer around the longitudinal axis of the vial, thereby obtaining the profile of the capsule and vial along the entire circumference of said capsule and vial. Preferably, the control device is configured to correct and / or absorb small deviations between the rotation axis of the profilometer and the geometric longitudinal axis of the encapsulated bottle, that is, the control device is configured to correct the variations that would occur if the circumference described by the trajectory of the profilometer and the vial were not concentric.

[0045] By rotating the encapsulated bottle or the profilometer, it is possible to obtain a three-dimensional measurement of the encapsulated bottle from two-dimensional measurements, thus being able to detect defects in the entire perimeter of the bottle capsule. In this case, preferably, the separation between different measurement plans is small, for example, from 0.5 to 1 degree of circumference. However, it is also possible to make more spaced measurements, for example, in separate planes at 45, 90 or 120 degrees, thus carrying out the encapsulation verification at 8, 4 or 3 points, respectively. It should be understood that the previous examples are merely illustrative and not limiting, and the separation between plans can be modified according to needs.

[0046] The device for detecting defects in the closure of encapsulated bottles described above can either be used separately, that is, without being associated with other machines or devices, or in a manner associated with other equipment that is part of a production line or of packaging.

[0047] In this document, the horizontal, vertical, above,

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10/21 below, etc. they are understood according to the normal working position of the device to detect defects in the closure of encapsulated vials, that is, with the longitudinal axis of the encapsulated vials perpendicular to the ground.

[0048] For a better understanding, as an explanatory but not limitative example, drawings representative of an embodiment of the method and the device for detecting defects in the closure of encapsulated flasks object of the present invention are attached.

[0049] Figure 1 shows two different bottles correctly encapsulated.

[0050] Figure 2 shows the bottles of Figure 1 with defective encapsulations.

[0051] Figure 3 shows a schematic view of an example of a device for detecting defects in the closure of encapsulated bottles.

[0052] Figure 4 shows a flow diagram of an example of carrying out a method for detecting defects in the closure of encapsulated vials according to the present invention.

[0053] Figure 5 shows the results of measuring an encapsulated vial profile using an example of a device to detect defects in the closure of encapsulated vials according to the present invention and with an exposure time of 40 με.

[0054] Figure 6 shows the results of measuring an encapsulated vial profile using an example of a device to detect defects in the closure of encapsulated vials according to the present invention and with an exposure time of 300 με.

[0055] Figure 7 shows a graph of a color point cloud

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11/21 responding to a profile of an encapsulated bottle resulting from the combination of the measurements in Figures 5 and 6.

[0056] Figure 8 shows the point corresponding to the end of the lower skirt of the capsule of the bottle in the graph of Figure 7.

[0057] Figure 9 shows the measurement of the bottom skirt length of the bottle capsule from the graph of Figure 8.

[0058] Figure 10 shows the determination of the angle of intersection between the lower skirt and the side of the bottle capsule from the graph of Figure 7.

[0059] Figure 11 shows the determination of the radius of closing circumference of the capsule from the graph of Figure 7.

[0060] Figure 12 shows the determination of the distance from the end of the lower skirt to the neck of the bottle from the graph of Figure

7.

[0061] In the figures, the same or equivalent elements were identified with identical numerals.

[0062] Figure 1 allows you to appreciate two different bottles correctly encapsulated. As noted, both vials 100, 200 have a cap 110, 210 and a capsule 120, 220 charged, among other things, with keeping cap 110, 210 firmly attached to their respective vial 100, 200 in order to create a watertight closure. The main difference between both vials 100, 200 is in the fact that vial 100 has a flat cap 110 disposed over its neck, while vial 200 has a cap 210 which is inserted through its neck or mouth. In both vials 100, 200, their respective capsule 120, 220 tightly wraps the head of vial 100, 200 and the bottom skirt 121, 221 of capsules 120, 220, in addition to being well fitted to the bottom of the respective head. flask 100, 200, has a length similar to the head, thus reaching up to, or practically up to, the neck of the

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12/21 flask 100, 200.

[0063] Although in Figure 1 only two types of encapsulated bottles are represented, the present invention allows to detect defects in the closure of any type of encapsulated bottles. Therefore, it is only necessary to adapt the parameters and limit values to each type of bottle to be inspected. Additionally, the device for inspecting defects in bottle closures can be used to detect defects in bottles that have other types of closures, such as screw caps, hinged caps, etc. For this, it is only necessary to modify the programming of the control device in order to evaluate the specific parameters of each type of closure.

[0064] In Figure 2, you can see the bottles in Figure 1, but with defective encapsulations. As noted, in flask 100, the lower skirt 121 is too open, that is, it is not well fitted to the bottom of the head of said flask 100. In flask 200, the length of the lower skirt 221 is too short, thus preventing an adjustment from capsule 200 to the top of bottle 200. Both types of defects can cause the loss of the tightness of the closure or even the loss of the product contained in the respective bottle. [0065] The defects previously illustrated are only two examples of defects that can be detected using the method and device object of the present invention. However, the present invention allows to detect a greater variety of defects in the closure of bottle capsules.

[0066] Figure 3 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a device for detecting defects in the closure of encapsulated vials according to the present invention. As noted, the profilometer 10 measures, by optical means, that is, without contact, a profile of the encapsulated vial 20. In the embodiment example

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13/21 shown, the measurement is carried out in a plane, that is, in two dimensions, but concretely in the plane in which the laser beam emitted by the profilometer 10 falls.

[0067] As commented, in the example shown, the measurements of the vial and capsule profile are carried out in two dimensions, therefore, only defects in the capping of the vial present in said plane can be detected. However, there are realizations that allow defects to be detected at a plurality of points on the perimeter of the encapsulation, for example, four points separated 90 degrees from each other. Said separation between different measurement planes can be reduced to such an extent that the measurement is considered to be essentially continuous over the entire perimeter of the capsule and bottle, for example, measuring each 0.5 or 1 degree of circumference. In the same way, a measurement is essentially obtained in three dimensions of the bottle by concatenating the plurality of measurements made in one plane or in two dimensions.

[0068] The device for detecting defects in the closure of encapsulated bottles described above can be used separately, that is, as a quality control station independent of the production line or bottling, or associated with a production line or bottle bottling .

[0069] In order to allow multiple measurement points along the circumference of the bottle, there are realizations of the present invention in which, with the profilometer in a fixed position, the bottle rotates around its longitudinal axis. In other embodiments, the bottle remains in a fixed position and it is the profilometer that rotates around the longitudinal axis of the bottle. In both embodiments, the rotation is produced by means of a motor that drives a corresponding mechanism. [0070] Although optional, the device's control device

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14/21 The device for detecting defects in the closure of encapsulated vials object of the present invention is preferably configured to absorb and / or correct small eccentricities in the rotation of the vial or the profilometer. Depending on the type of realization, said eccentricities may be due to misalignments between the longitudinal axis of the bottle and the axis of rotation of the profilometer or to misalignments between the axis of rotation of the bottle and the geometric axis of the same.

[0071] The use of multiple measurement plans along the perimeter of the bottle and its respective capsule allows to increase the quality of the inspection, that is, it increases the probability of detecting defects in the encapsulation, if any. In addition, the fact of using measurements in continuous, or essentially continuous, allows to find defects that are difficult to be detected with specific measurements, such as bites on the lower skirt of the capsule.

[0072] Figure 4 shows a flow diagram of an example of carrying out a method for detecting defects in the closure of encapsulated bottles according to the invention. Said method is initiated with the first step 1000 which consists of digitizing or measuring a profile of the capsule and bottle using a profilometer in order to obtain a point cloud corresponding to said profile of the capsule and bottle. In the example shown, said measurement is performed on a plane, that is, in a two-dimensional form.

[0073] In addition to the first stage 1000, at least one of the following substeps is performed: calculate the diameter or radius of the closing circumference of the capsule 2001, calculate the angle of intersection between the lower skirt and the side of the capsule 2002, calculate the length bottom skirt 2003, and measure the distance from the bottom skirt end to the neck of the 2004 bottle.

[0074] The third step 3000 consists of determining whether any of the parameters calculated in steps 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 exceeds a

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15/21 predetermined limit value or not. In case any of the said parameters exceeds their respective limit value, it means that the encapsulation is incorrect or defective. Although it is also possible to perform in which only one of the said parameters is evaluated, it is recommended to evaluate them all, or at least a couple of them, since the more parameters are evaluated, the greater the safety of the bottle capping being satisfactory and complying with all established requirements. It is important to mention that achievements are also possible that evaluate more parameters than those calculated in the 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 stages.

[0075] In the example shown, the limit value of each parameter can be modified depending on the type of bottle, type of capsule, etc. For this, the control device can store a database or similar with the optimum limit values for each type of bottle and capsule.

[0076] Figure 5 shows the results of measuring an encapsulated vial profile using an example of a device for detecting defects in the closure of encapsulated vials in accordance with the present invention and with an exposure time of 40 ps.

[0077] Figure 6 shows the results of measuring an encapsulated vial profile using an example of a device for detecting defects in the closure of encapsulated vials in accordance with the present invention and with an exposure time of 300 ps.

[0078] Since the vials and their respective lids and / or capsules are of different materials, and therefore have different optical properties, a given exposure time of the profilometer can accurately measure part of the profile of the vial-capsule set and, however, produce inaccurate measurements elsewhere due to the

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16/21 reflections of the laser beam on the measured surface. In order to avoid these problems, in the example shown in the figures, the profilometer 10 measures a certain profile of the bottle 20 (see Figure 3) with two different exposure times, that is, it performs two measurements of the same profile, each one with a different exposure time, to later combine both measurements, thus obtaining an accurate measurement over the entire profile of the flask 20 (see Figure 7).

[0079] As can be seen in Figures 5 and 6, in the example shown, a first exposure time is 40 ps and a second exposure time is 300 ps. However, in other embodiments, said exposure times may be different. Both figures illustrate the raw measurement, that is, without any treatment, obtained with the profilometer 10. Although the example shown only uses two different exposure times, other embodiments of the present invention may use more than two exposure times distinct.

[0080] The device to detect defects in the closure of encapsulated vials object of the present invention can vary the exposure times depending on the type of vial and the capsule to be measured. For this, the control device can store a database or similar with the optimal exposure times for each type of bottle and capsule.

[0081] Figure 7 shows a graph of a point cloud corresponding to a profile of an encapsulated bottle resulting from the combination of the measurements in Figures 5 and 6. In this figure, the points obtained from the measurement using the laser profilometer 10 were with an exposure time of 300 ps (see Figure 6) the points obtained from the measurement using the laser profilometer 10 with an exposure time were represented with a thin line and with a thick line

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17/21 of 40 με (see Figure 5).

[0082] As can be seen, in Figure 7, the units of the abscissa and ordered axes are presented in mm, while in Figures 5 and 6, the units are presented in pixels. As will be seen, in Figures 8 to 12, the units used in the abscissa and ordered axes are also presented in mm. The units used in Figures 5 to 12 are merely illustrative and have an exemplary character. In other embodiments, different units may be used, for example, inches.

[0083] In Figure 7, a trace is observed essentially in continuous form that represents a profile of the bottle and its capsule. However, there is also a discontinuity or jump in said line that corresponds to the separation or distance between the end of the lower skirt of the capsule and the neck of the bottle 20.

[0084] In Figures 8 to 12, it is shown, from the graph of Figure 7, the determination of different parameters that allow to evaluate the presence of defects in the bottle's capping. Unlike Figure 7 in which the profile was represented with a thin or thick line depending on the exposure time with which the profilometer obtained the data, in order to improve the clarity of Figures 8 to 12, the profile was represented with a uniform trait. For illustrative and didactic reasons, in each of Figures 8 to 12, only the specific area of Figure 7 is represented in an enlarged manner on which the calculation is made, thus omitting the representation of the other parts. However, it should be understood that the device and method object of the present invention operate with the entire profile obtained, and shown in an exemplary manner in Figure 7.

[0085] Figure 8 allows to appreciate the point corresponding to the end of the lower skirt of the bottle capsule. In this figure, the point ex

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18/21 lower cover is indicated by a hollow arrow. Although the determination of the end point of the lower skirt by itself is indicative of the correct or incorrect state of the bottle's capping, as will be detailed later, it is important for the determination of the different parameters to be evaluated.

[0086] Figure 9 shows the measurement of the length of the lower skirt of the bottle capsule. To determine the length of the bottom skirt of the bottle cap, it is necessary to determine the two ends of the bottle. The determination of one of which, more specifically, the final end, is shown in Figure 8. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the starting point of the lower skirt, or more specifically, the extreme point of the fold between the side and the lower skirt of the capsule, that is, the point at which the fold between the side ends and said lower skirt begins. Approaching the fold between the side and the lower skirt to an arc of circumference, or a circumference (see Figure 11), and approaching the lower skirt to a straight line (see Figure 10), the starting point of the skirt can approach as the point tangential between said circumference and said straight line.

[0087] Once the two ends of the bottom skirt are determined, the length of the skirt can be measured as the straight line distance between both points (see dimension line in graph), the distance between the projections of both points on the axis of abscissas (see dimension line in graph) and / or the distance between the projections of both points on the ordinate axis (for illustrative purposes, its drawing in Figure 9 was omitted).

[0088] If the length of the bottom skirt is less than a predetermined threshold value depending on the type of bottle and capsule, it means that the package may not be well attached to the neck of the bottle and that, therefore, said package is broked. An example of this type of defect can be seen in Figure 2. It can also be

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19/21 if the case in which the length of the lower skirt is greater than allowed or desired, that is, that the length exceeds an upper limit value.

[0089] Figure 10 shows the determination of the angle of intersection between the lower skirt and the side of the bottle capsule. For this, the regression line of the side of the capsule and the lower skirt of said capsule r1 and r2, respectively, are calculated. Once both regression lines r1, r2 have been calculated, the angle α that they form between them is determined. Said angle α indicates the open or closed that is the lower skirt of the capsule. In the example shown, a small angle α indicates that the lower skirt is excessively open, that is, it is not tightly attached to the neck of the bottle and, therefore, among other possibilities, the capsule could not be hermetically sealed or even fall off. An example of said defect can be seen in Figure 2.

[0090] Figure 11 allows to appreciate the determination of the radius of the circumference of the closure of the capsule. For this purpose, from the point cloud corresponding to the fold between the side and the lower skirt of the capsule, a regression circumference c1 is calculated, which adjusts as much as possible to the points measured using the laser profilometer.

10. Once the regression circle c1 has been calculated, it is assumed that the closing circle is equal to said regression circle c1, and the diameter and / or radius of said closing circle is subsequently measured and / or calculated. The said radius and / or diameter of the closing circumference is an indication of whether the bottom skirt is correctly folded or not, since an excessive diameter and / or radius, that is, that exceeds a predetermined limit value, is indicative that the bottom skirt may be excessively open or otherwise insufficiently folded.

[0091] Figure 12 illustrates the determination of the distance from the

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20/21 from the bottom skirt to the neck of the bottle. For this calculation, it is necessary to have determined the extreme point of the lower skirt. In case the said extreme point has already been previously determined, the device and method object of the present invention take advantage of the calculation already made. In case it has not yet been determined, proceed to the determination of the extreme point of the lower skirt in a similar way to that illustrated in an exemplary way in Figure 8.

[0092] Once the end point of the bottom skirt of the bottle capsule has been determined, the next step is to determine the end point of the bottle neck, that is, from among the entire point cloud measured by the laser profilometer 10, the first point corresponding to the neck of the bottle, which, more specifically, is the first point after the jump that appears in the measured point cloud. In Figures 7 to 12 this jump was represented with a line in dashed lines and represents the separation between the lower skirt of the capsule and the neck of the bottle.

[0093] In the example shown, said separation between the lower skirt of the capsule and the neck of the bottle can be measured in two different ways. The first consists in measuring the length of the straight line that joins both extreme points, that is, the length of the straight line that joins the extreme point of the lower skirt with the extreme point of the neck of the bottle. The second consists of measuring the separation between the extreme point of the lower skirt with the extreme point of the bottle neck as the distance between both points in their respective projection on the ordinate axis. In Figure 12, a pair of dimension lines was depicted illustrating both ways of measuring the separation or distance between the lower skirt of the capsule and the neck of the bottle.

[0094] Although in this embodiment example to determine the distance from the end of the lower skirt to the neck of the bottle, I press

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21/21 the end point of the bottom flask of the bottle is determined and then the end point of the bottle neck is determined, there are also realizations in which the said order is reversed.

[0095] All the processing of data and graphs shown above can be performed automatically in the control device comprised in the device to detect defects in encapsulated flasks object of the present invention. For that, the said control device has specific software for processing and analyzing data and graphs.

[0096] Although the invention has been presented and described with reference to its realizations, it will be understood that these are not limiting the invention, so that multiple constructive or other details can be variable, becoming evident to those versed in the technique after interpreting the subject presented in this description, claims and drawings. In particular, in principle and unless explicitly stated otherwise, all the characteristics of each of the different achievements and alternatives shown and / or suggested are combinable with each other. Thus, all variants and equivalents will be included within the scope of the present invention, if they can be considered to be included in the broader scope of the following claims.

Claims (14)

1. Method for detecting defects in the closure of encapsulated bottles, characterized by the fact that it comprises the following steps: a) digitize a profile (20) of the capsule (120, 220) and the bottle using a profilometer (10), said profile (20) corresponding to a generatrix of the bottle (20) that defines a head, a side and a skirt bottom (121, 221) of said capsule (120, 220), thus obtaining a cloud of points, b) from the point cloud obtained in the previous point, calculate at least one of the following parameters: 1. diameter or radius of the capsule's closing circumference, said closing circumference being defined by the circumference defined by the folding of the lower skirt (121, 221) of the capsule (120, 220) with respect to its side, ii. angle of intersection between the lower skirt (121, 221) and the side of the capsule (120, 220), iii. length of the bottom skirt (121,221), iv. distance from the bottom skirt end (121, 221) to the bottle neck, c) determine if any parameter calculated in the previous point exceeds a predetermined limit value, said limit value indicating whether the encapsulation is correct or not. 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said point cloud is obtained by means of a laser profilometer (10). Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the calculation of the diameter or radius of the capsule's closing circumference comprises the following steps: Petition 870190070627, of 7/24/2019, p. 29/33 2/4 a) calculate a regression circumference (c1) of the closure of the capsule (120, 220) from the point cloud on the side and bottom skirt (121,221) of the capsule (120, 220), b) measure the diameter or radius of the circumference of the regression circumference (c1), estimating that said regression circumference (c1) is equal to the closing circumference of the capsule. 4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the calculation of the angle of intersection (a) between the lower skirt (121, 221) and the side of the capsule (120, 220) comprises the following steps : a) calculate the regression line (r1) of the side of the capsule (120, 220) from the point cloud, b) calculate the regression line (r2) of the lower skirt (121,221) of the capsule (120, 220) from the point cloud, c) determine the point of intersection (a) between both regression lines (r1, r2) and the angle they form between them. 5. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the calculation of the length of the lower skirt (121,221) comprises the following steps: a) determine the end point of the lower skirt (121,221), b) determine the extreme point of the fold between the side and the bottom skirt (121, 221) of the capsule (120, 220), c) measure the distance between both points. 6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the calculation of the distance from the end of the lower skirt (121,221) to the bottle (20) comprises the following steps: a) determine the extreme point of the lower skirt (121,221), in case it has not been previously determined, b) determine the extreme point of the bottle neck (100, Petition 870190070627, of 7/24/2019, p. 30/33 3/4 200), c) measure the distance between both points. 7. Device to detect defects in the closure of encapsulated vials, characterized by the fact that it comprises a profilometer (10) configured to scan a profile (20) of the capsule (120, 220) and of the vial (100, 200) and a device for control configured to execute a method, as defined in any of claims 1 to 6. 8. Device according to claim 7, characterized by the fact that said profilometer (10) is a laser profilometer. 9. Device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by the fact that said profilometer (10) is a two-dimensional profilometer. Device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that it additionally comprises a bottle supply device (100, 200). 11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that said vial supply device (100, 200) operates continuously. 12. Device according to any one of claims 7 to 11, characterized by the fact that said profilometer (10) measures the profile (20) with two different exposure times. 13. Device according to any one of claims 7 to 12, characterized in that it comprises means for rotating the vial (100, 200) on its own longitudinal axis, thus obtaining the profile (20) of the capsule ( 120, 220) and the vial (100, 200) over the entire circumference of said capsule and vial. 14. Device according to any one of claims 7 to 12, characterized in that it comprises means for rotating the profilometer (10) around the longitudinal axis of the bottle, Petition 870190070627, of 7/24/2019, p. 31/33 4/4 thus obtaining the profile (20) of the capsule (120, 220) and the vial (100, 200) along the entire circumference of said capsule (120, 220) and vial (100, 200).